Just popping in to say that I will be on a bit of a bloggy break for an unknown, hopefully short time. Today is day 4 of being flooded in and day 2 of no power. We have a generator to power fridges and freezers for periods through the day and I can recharge the laptop and mobile phone but I am being careful about usage. We are safe, just isolated and thinking of those who are have a worrying time ahead.

Thankyou to all the lovely elves who have posted about their 1 Xmas Item for January and left comments ... I promise if I haven't yet visited you or added your photo to the page I will do so as soon as our power is restored.

Now that the rain has stopped I've been sitting on the verandah for some natural light and making a few more hexies. Our new additions think they're keeping me company.

I did give in to temptation and made 2 thread catchers on Saturday while we still had power. My 'Red Home' arrived just in time in Friday's mail.

Time to save power and go make some more hexies. Might make a start on my February 1 Xmas Item Stitchery too.

Saturday, 26 January 2013

While the wind and rain lashed outside at the house, Jayne and I were quite cosy with our hexies and friends for FNSI. I dug these out of a draw yesterday and decided it was time to get back into hexie mode. I'd actually forgotten that I had squares cut ready in a little box.

Before

During

After

Enough petals to make another flower...no.4. I'm adding the cream pathways to each flower as I go so that one day when I've got enough flowers, I can just start joining. Hope your Friday night was productive.

Friday, 25 January 2013

It's a lovely and very wet morning so far. This rain was very much needed and I only hope that it fills our dams and creeks and continues on further south to those who are still waiting and also dampen the fires.

Time for our little group of Elves to share what they've been creating ... to be put away in a safe place ready for Christmas 2013. (Don't be like me and forget where that safe place is.)
I had made one of these and gifted last year and also started on a second for myself.

'Tree of Christmas Cheer' by Hatched and Patched

Being a wet day, I have to share computer time with hubby so I shall pop round and visit when I can. Come back and check the '1 Xmas Page' to see what everyone else has to share ... use the sidebar links to say hello and cheer each other on. If time didn't allow for an item this month don't worry ... it's all about having less stress so just make a start and join in when you can.

Thursday, 24 January 2013

It's Friday tomorrow and I've just been over to Heidi's to link in for Friday Night Sew-In. The way the weather is today I'm looking forward to stitching and listening to the long awaited rain on the roof.

Not only is tomorrow Friday but it's also the 25th so time to share those items you've been working on for 1 Xmas Item A Month ~ January. I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone has been creating.

Tuesday, 22 January 2013

Checking in with a progress report for my current PhD ~ you can find the link to Cheryll's blog on my sidebar. This month I dug out my horse quilt (commenced before 2008) to decide 'what next'? I had started with the center panel and found a block pattern that would fit around and make use of the horse fabric.

Today I added a 2" black sashing and have found a 9" block pattern to make a final border with the gold horse shoe fabric, blue horse shoe fabric and a contrast fabric. As I didn't really have a plan before I started it can take me a while to 'see' what comes next but I'm happy to have a finish in mind.

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Yesterday was a lovely cool change so it was time to get stitching on hubby's quilt binding. I find hand stitching the binding down so relaxing ... maybe it's because I can see the finish line :)

I also finished the stitching and applique for my 1 Xmas item. Now to get it sewn up and filled before the 25th.

Some washing and ironing happened yesterday as well. ... no not clothes but fabric ... these fabrics for DS's wedding quilt. My rotary cutter will be busy today and I might alternate between cutting and binding stitching to rest my fingertip.

Sunday, 13 January 2013

I'm having a play around with different ways to get the pictures into my posts since I haven't been able to simply browse and upload from the folder on my computer. After reading how to email photos on Chookyblue's blog, this could be my prefered method. You can read about another method over at Exuberant Color.

Wednesday, 9 January 2013

Would you believe that the time thief is at it already? Only the 9th of January and I'm sure someone has removed some days from the calendar. Getting back to last Friday night I did manage to make a start on some stitching with my friends from FNwF hosted by Cheryll. To date I have finished 4 of 8 blocks for an online swap. (Photos when I can work out whatever issue is preventing me from adding photos!)

While I was visiting Cheryll, I read about her PhD's and would like to achieve a couple of these for myself this year. Check out my "UFO's PhD's" page above for a photographic list of my PhD's and skip over to Cheryll's for more information.

This morning I was having a little tidy up of some sewing and came across 2 more UFO's. The first is from a dye painting workshop I attended in October 2011. The second are 6 blocks I achieved from the 'Sew It's Finished' group blog. Guess I'll add them to the page when I can figure out why I can't add photos to my blog (frustrating!)

I did have more to share but I'll come back later. The temp is starting to soar so time to go stitch in front of the fan. The cats are out on the verandah trying to find the cool spots.

Wednesday, 2 January 2013

It's never too early to start ... is it? If you found yourself wishing for more time to make handmade goodies for Christmas then this may be the group for you.

Come along and join our band of crafty elves as we make at least 1 item each month to be put away ready for Christmas 2013. The item can be for yourself to decorate or be used ... or a gift for giving.

The rules are simple:

#1 ~ Make your item and post about it on your blog on the 25th of the month (or atleast by the end of that month). Then let me know and I'll add a picture to my '1 Xmas Item' page.

#2 ~ No stress allowed :o) Skipped a month? No problem ... it's never to late to join in.

I have been through the list on my sidebar and placed a # next to those who have already let me know that they will be joining in again this year so thankyou :o) If I haven't heard from any others by the end of January I'll just remove the link. (Please let me know if I missed you and accept my apology, I blame this heatwave for my foggy brain)

If you are new and would like to join in this happy little group just let me know in your comment and I shall add your link to the list.